IMF raises U.S. 2021 growth forecast to 7%, assumes Biden spending plans pass
The International Monetary Fund raised its 2021 U.S. growth projection sharply to 7.0% due to a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and an assumption that much of President Joe Biden’s infrastructure and social spending plans will be enacted.
Ghosts of taper tantrum to haunt EMFX, stir volatility memories: Reuters poll
Volatility risks in coming months are high on the radar of emerging market currency investors still familiar with past Fed tightening, a Reuters poll of strategists found, but commodity prices are offering support amid slow vaccination rates.
Volkswagen sees strongest first-half U.S. sales since 1973
Volkswagen of America said it sold more than 211,000 cars in the first half of 2021, its highest level for the period in nearly 50 years, and is on pace to sell more than 400,000 this year, Chief Executive and President Scott Keogh said in a media briefing on Thursday.
Analysis: U.S. companies spend billions on stay-at-home tech, boding ill for office properties
As the U.S. economy reopens, ramped-up corporate spending on video systems and plans to increase shared workspace suggests hybrid work is here to stay, potentially weighing on commercial property prices in New York, San Francisco and other major cities.
EXCLUSIVE Shell plans to exit California joint venture with Exxon Mobil -sources
Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSa.L) plans to leave Aera, its California-based oil and gas-producing joint venture with Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N), four people familiar with the talks told Reuters.
Asia M&A bonanza fuelled by Southeast Asia, private equity deals
Asian merger and acquisition activity surged to its second-highest level ever for a first half as Southeast Asian and private-equity deals hit records, and bankers expect the strong momentum to be maintained for the rest of the year.
Euro zone recovery faces risks from virus mutations, ECB’s Lagarde says
The euro zone economy may well avoid the most pessimistic scenario envisaged at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic but it still faces risks from virus mutations, European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday.
China solar association says Xinjiang forced labour claims unfounded
Claims that Chinese solar firms are benefiting from forced labour in Xinjiang are unfounded and unfairly stigmatise firms with operations there, the country’s solar association said.
Marketmind: Known unknowns and unknown unknowns
A look at the day ahead from Julien Ponthus.
PepsiCo vows to cut soda sugar levels by 25% in EU by 2025
PepsiCo Inc (PEP.O) said on Thursday it plans to reduce sugar content in sodas and iced teas by a fourth in the European Union and launch more nutritious snacks by 2025, to attract more health-conscious consumers in its second-biggest market.
